Eutelsat Communications has selected EADS Astrium to build its Hot Bird 9 broadcast satellite, which will be launched in 2008 and positioned in geostationary orbit at 13°E. Hot Bird 9 will use EADS Astrium’s Eurostar E3000 platform, already selected for Hot Bird 8. With a similar mission capacity, it will operate up to 64 Ku-band transponders at a payload power of 11 kW for its planned 15-year service life in orbit.
Source: Flight International